The federal government has announced approval for the establishment of additional 37 new private universities in the country.
The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, said this while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting.
The meeting, on Monday, was presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said that by the foregoing, the present administration had surpassed any other administration in terms of establishing universities.
Adamu said: “Thirty-seven new private universities have been licenced and that will make this admiration probably the most university-friendly administration because we have so far established 72 universities.
“Fourteen by the Federal Government, 21 by states and 37 private.
“ And today I am announcing 37 new private universities.”
With the new addition, Nigeria now has 258 universities comprising 50 federal, 60 state and 148 private universities.
Also, at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, says the national carrier, Nigeria Air, will commence operations before the present administration winds down.
Sirika said: “Regarding Nigeria Air, yes, we are on course. And by the Grace of God, before President Muhammadu Buhari leaves office, it will fly.
“We are on course. Before May 29, Nigeria Air will fly.”
The Minister said that something crucial had happened in the aviation industry with FEC’s approval of the Aviation Leasing Company.
He said the council also approved the sum of N3.5 billion for a contract for photometric and taxiway lights for Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt airports.
“Part of our road map, the Aviation Leasing Company, has been established and approved by the council.
“Therefore, operators in civil aviation will have access to this equipment at an affordable rate and within our country, Nigeria.”
